“Yes, Zach. I got it.”
(click:?page)[“I just want to be sure we’re on the same–”
(click:?page)[“My god, Zach. You’re such a mood killer sometimes.”
(click:?page)[“I’m–”
(click:?page)[“Say one more word and I’m driving us home.”
(click:?page)[“. . .”(track: 'door-close', 'play')
(click:?page)[“[[Bye|Zach 1]]…”
]]]]]]My lonely word echoed inside the cooling car. Irene did not look back, but my eyes followed her as she hurried towards the store. My hands rolled into fists and I bit my lip. Her red leather skirt was riding up her legs with each step, revealing inches by inches her caramel skin. And that black top hugged her body a bit too–
(click:?page)[//Twelve, Thirteen, Fourteen…//
The seconds felt interminable, and I wasn’t a patient man. I ached seeing her open the door and disappearing inside, knowing I could not run after her. Knowing I could not do a thing until–
(click:?page)[//Thirty-Seven, Thirty-Eight, Thirty-nine…//
We agreed. I’d stay put. I’d wait. I wouldn’t track her steps. I wouldn’t follow her. Not until–
//
[[Fuck it. |Irene 1a]]
(link: "Just a bit longer...")[\
(set: $glance to true)\
(go-to: "Irene 1b")\
]
//]]
<!--[[Irene 1b]]-->(track: 'shop-bell', 'play')\
Following the source of the unexpected sound, my eyes caught the sight of a large man entering the store, wearing that //stupid// flannel shirt.
//Damn it, Zach!//
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. This was just a little hiccup, nothing more. I shouldn’t have expected him to follow instructions – //his own// instructions – tonight. Him and his hothead. My hothead…
//Wine. Focus on the wine.//
My hand was shaking a little, hovering by the bottles. I tried to pretend checking the labels, but I could feel his hungry eyes on me, taunting me to look his way. //One glance…// One glance was all that was needed for me to succumb. How weak I am.
//That stupid shirt, and his stupid beard, and my stupid–//
[[Grab White Wine|Zach 2b]]
[[Grab Red Wine|Zach 2a]]
In the wine aisle, I took a deep breath and went over the plan again. I reminded myself that all would turn out fine. Just fine. Zach would play his role, and I would play mine. I had no reason to be nervous – we both agreed to this. But… I still was.
//What if it goes wrong? What if he says something… What if I–//
(click:?page)[(track: 'shop-bell', 'play')\
As if they had a mind of their own, my eyes moved towards the door, catching the sight of a large man entering the store. Wearing an oversized flannel shirt of a snug tee – //what’s that underneath?// – he looked out of place, from out of town. A bit twitchy too, somewhat uncomfortable. A cute. Strangely cute.
Our eyes met, and he smiled shyly.
//Wine. Focus on the wine.//
My hand was shaking a little, hovering by the bottles. I tried to pretend checking the labels, but I could feel his eyes on me, taunting me to look his way. //One glance…// One glance was all that was needed for me to succumb. How weak I am.
//Damn those blue eyes…//
[[Grab White Wine|Zach 2a]]
[[Grab Red Wine|Zach 2b]]
]
Her fingers brushed my hand, and our eyes met (if:$glance is true)[ again]. Purple lids fell over her emerald pupils, revealing them again after the longest of second. It took all of me not to–
“Oh, sorry, I–”
She stopped and diverted her gaze, her cheek glowing. She grabbed the closest bottle of red wine. I bit my lip. //Chianti//. She’s always hated that one.
“Not a good vintage, ya know?” the words escaped my mouth.
She glanced at the bottle, grimaced, and carefully placed the bottle back on the shelf.
“Ah… thanks.” Her hands fidgeted.
“Ya should get that one ‘stead,” I nodded at the Chardonnay.
“Oh? Is it any good?”
“Dunno,” I shrugged. “Never had it before.”
She tried to [[muffle|Irene 2]] a laugh.
Her fingers brushed a bottle, and I could see how hard she was pretending to ignore me. She’d sent me furtive glances – her emerald pupils appearing and disappearing under those shiny purple lids.
//You have no idea how much I want to grab you, do you?//
She diverted her eyes once more, her cheek glowing, and grabbed the closest bottle of white wine. I frowned. //Pinot.// She loathed that one.
“Not a good vintage, ya know?” the words escaped my mouth.
She glanced at the bottle, grimaced, and carefully placed the bottle back on the shelf.
“Ah… thanks.” Her hands fidgeted.
“Ya should get that one ‘stead,” I nodded at the Chardonnay.
“Oh? Is it any good?”
“//Eh//,” I shrugged. “’S just old grapes.”
She tried to [[muffle|Irene 2]] a laugh.
He’d always say the stupidest of things, just to try to make my laugh. He had promised not to do it today, not this time. Couldn’t help himself, could he…
“Erm…” I composed myself. “Ir–… Lola.”
I offered him my hand. //God, this is so awkward! Why is this so awkward??//
“Jo,” he grabbed it with a smirk. “Joseph.”
“Jo… Joseph?”
“Or what’ver ya want to call me,” he winked.
I stared at him, at a loss for word. //Something else… focus on something else!//
His calloused hand wrapped mine. Its rough skin rubbing against mine… I’ve felt it a thousand time before, but today was different, somehow. His, but not his at the same time…
“So… what’s //this// for, Lola?” he nodded at the Chardonnay.
“Oh, you know…
[[… lonely night.”|Zach 3]]
[[… meeting some friends.”|Zach 3]]
[[… treating myself.”|Zach 3]]
“Tight.”
//Tight? TIGHT??!!!// I wanted to punch myself the moment that word left my mouth. //Tight… couldn’t you think of anything else??? //
“You?” she asked, seemingly unfazed.
“Err…”
I was blanking, hard. Unable to think of any excuse for being here, even a stupid one. I had made up a whole scenario and background for me before we got here and… //Poof!// All gone now…
“Guessing the same, then.”
Her [[piercing eyes|Irene 3]] taunted me.
“Yeah…”
//Did he just… //
I wanted to smack the back of his head //SO BAD//. It wasn’t like it was that hard to make up a fake persona on the go. For just this. It didn’t even need to be complicated either. Just winging it… And he’s always been good at this!
//Disappointing…//
“D’ya need something stronger?” he held up a red bottle.
“What?”
“I said: d’ya need–”
“Oh!” I shook my head. “No! No, I think I’m good.”
//Not like I am better at it either…//
I grabbed a white bottle and awkwardly made my way to the check-out. Zach – //No! Tonight, it’s Joseph// – followed close behind, almost like a puppy. //Is he staring?// I swung my hips, anyway.
“Are you…” the cashier waved their fingers. “…together?”
“No.”
“Ye–” Zach slapped his mouth shut. “Err… Nah.”
“K,” they shrugged. “ID, please.”
I looked at the cashier, blanking.
//Did I even bring [[my bag|Zach 4]]?!?//
I muffled a laugh looking at her frantically patting her sides, looking for something in those non-existant pockets. She’s always been a bit of a airhead, my Irene. Always forgetting the important things. Always getting into… situations because of that. Still, it was weirdly charming.
“Fuck, fuck, fu–”
“Listen, I can’t sell you anything if you–”
“I KNOW,” she barked at the poor cashier. “I know. I just… URGH. I’m sure I took it when I left the house…”
She had. I saw her bag dangling from her shoulder when she walked out the house. When she got into the store, however…
“Well… You’re also holding the line,” the cashier nodded toward me.
“Eh… I’m good,” I shrugged.
“Just wait a second, I’ll find it.”
“Ma’am, I’m going to have to put–”
“No, no! I-”
“Ma’am, it’s store policy.”
“Oh, //come on//!”
But the cashier wanted none of this, taking the bottle out of her reach. I could see this was starting to [[anger her|Irene 4]].
How stupid I could have been?! Walking inside a liquor store without… well… //anything//! And here I was about to berate him for ruining our little game.
//So stupid! Irene, you are so fucking stupid!//
“I’ll get it for her,” he said behind me.
“I mean… I can’t do //that// either, sir. I’d still need her–”
“Never mind.”
“C’mon Ir– err… Lola. Don’t be like that.”
“It’s //fine//,” I said, fuming inside. “Doesn’t matter.”
“Ir– Lola! Wait!”
He tried to stop me, but I was already out of his grasp. //So stupid! Always ruining everything! Can’t every do anything right! Why, why, WHY!//
I flung the door open and [[left the store|Zach 5]].
(track: 'shop-bell', 'play')\
I couldn’t believe my eyes, seeing her fleeing the store so easily, so quickly, without a word. To say I was surprised, however, would be a lie. It wasn’t the first time Irene’d bail like this, when something would go slightly wrong – and it would be far from the last time either.
At the first sign of struggle, the first sign of push-back, she’d disengage and hide. Wallowing in her feelings for little to nothing. Leaving me to pick up the pieces and fix things.
//Damnit, Irene! Why didn’t you pretend to be ditsy or something?//
“Err… sir?” a voice behind the counter said.
“Ah, right.” I sighed, taking out my wallet.
“Thirteen ninety-four.”
“Here.”
“Just paper or plastic bag too?”
[[“Paper’s fine.”|Inter]]
[[“Plastic too.”|Inter]]
I stood a bit aside, arms tightened around my body, trying to pretend it wasn’t cold. But it was //so fucking cold//. That little shirt and tiny skirt wasn’t going to cover enough, even if I was pulling the cloth as much as I could. //So stupid!//
Without a coat, or a bag… I was stuck waiting. //He// even had the car keys! Why didn’t I take the keys… or my bag! //Fuck!//
“Hey.”
He stood next to me, but I didn’t answer him. I couldn’t face him after… //this//.
“Sooo…” he tried again. “Lola. Need a ride anywhere?”
“Huh?”
I turned to him, staring blankly at him, bewildered.
“A pretty lady like ya shou’dn’t be standing there. Who knows what can happen to ya…”
//Why is he still–// I thought after…
“I can drive ya anywhere,” he smirked. “If ya let me. Anywhere ya want.”
“I… I don’t want to both–”
“Bah,” he threw his hand. “Got too much time on my hands. And,” he got closer. “Anything for a //damn-mo-i-zelle//.”
I bit my lips. Hard. //You conrball.//
Even with my blunders, he kept on trying. Why did I think he would stop? When he started with a bit, he committed till the end. He would not let things go. //And I messed things enough…//
“So? Ya coming?”
[[Accept the ride|Inter 2]]
(text-colour:#d17c7c)[Refuse the ride]
I glanced at the passenger seat. With the window half down, a breeze blew inside the car, waltzing with her hair. Strands whipped her face, but she kept smiling. She had her arm out the window, her hand moving with the current. Making waves along with the beats on the radio
She brought her legs up, crossing them on the dashboard, and her skirt moved further up. She didn’t bother moving it back into place, meeting my eyes with her taunting glares instead.
//Glad to see you back in the mood//, I wanted to say. I kept quiet, afraid it would set her off again. //Just focus on the now. On her.//
She saw me stare and [[laughed|Irene 6]]. I wanted to stop the car right there. Waiting any longer was killing me.
It was easier now. Since getting back in the car. Driving for a while. I don’t know why I freaked out earlier. I could have played it out for a laugh… pretend I was stupid…
//Stop it, Irene! Focus on the drive. On Za– On Joseph!//
Zach’s driving always calmed me down – he’d take me on a drive, often to nowhere, when I couldn’t handle my nerves. He’d always made me feel at ease… //So gentle…//
“Err… Lola?”
I caught him again staring, staring at my legs. Oh, how I knew he loved my legs. A shiver crept up my spine thinking of all those times his fingers brushed the skin or his hands grabbed them all. How he’d move me around like a… //Will he again–//
“I’m a virgin.”
I froze.
//[[what?|Zach 7]]
[[What?|Zach 7]]
[[WHAT?!?|Zach 7]]//
//What the fuck, Zach?!//
My hands tightened around the wheel and I bit my tongue, afraid I’d say another stupid thing. It was the only thing I could think of, then. The only thing to stop me from swerving to the side of the road. The only thing to stop my urges. The only thing to stop me from losing control.
I look at Irene, worried I’d gone too far. She was avoiding my eyes, her body shaking. Her hand covered her mouth, her lips pursed tightly – or so I thought. //Fuck, I went too far…//
“A-a v-vir-g-gin?”
“Err… yeah?”
“H-how c-come? B-big g-guy lik-ke you?”
“Ya know… lonely town, old folks… girls ain’t interested in me.”
“Th-that’s surp-prising, Jo,” she was starting to calm down, wiping tears from her eyes. “You’d-d been verrry populaaarrrr heerrre,” she slurred her words.
//Focus on the road, Zach. Don’t look at her! That’s what she wants!//
I [[grabbed the wheel|Irene 7]] even tighter, wishing it was her under my palms.
It was so easy to tease him. A look here, a touch there, a rolled-‘r’ or two… I knew I didn’t need much to send him to the edge – and it was so entertaining to see him struggle to keep himself composed. Especially when there was that fire in his eyes, consuming him.
//And he deserved it for that line!//
“What’s your deal, Lola?”
“My deal?”
“Yah… A gal like you, ya know?”
“Know what?”
“There’s no way ya not hitched or something.”
“What if I’m not?” I played it coy.
“Nah… there’s no way. Ya’re too hot.”
//Always smooth, that one…//
(link: "“There was this guy…”")[\
(set: $person to "man")\
(go-to: "Zach 8")\
]
(link: "“There was this gal…”")[\
(set: $person to "woman")\
(go-to: "Zach 8")\
]
(link: "“There was this person…”")[\
(set: $person to "person")\
(go-to: "Zach 8")\
]
<!--[[Zach 8]]-->“Was?”
My throat suddenly felt dry.
“{(if: $person is "man")[He](else-if: $person is "woman")[She](else:)[They]} didn’t… well… Doesn’t matter.”
She brought her legs closer to her chest, and looked at me with those doe eyes of hers. Those darn eyes of hers…
“It’s in the past anyway.”
“Is it?” I didn’t know why I was pushing it.
“Yeah, Joseph. It is.”
Clouds covered her eyes. Her smile was disappearing. Quick… Think of something.
“{(if: $person is "man")[His](else-if: $person is "woman")[Her](else:)[Their]} loss,” I shrugged.
“Yeah…”
“But maybe…”
“Yeah?”
“Someone else could… ya know…”
I shot her a glance. A smirk met my eyes. Her hand moved up my leg. I felt cold and warm all over.
“Hey, Joseph.”
“Yeah, Lola?”
“I know a place,” she [[whispered|Inter 3]].Grabbing him by the collar, I pulled him inside the lift, walking backward. Reaching the wall, he bumped into me, pushing me against the cold metal. His lips met mine. I slid a hand under his shirt. He buried his head in my neck.
“Oh, Irene…”
We stopped pretending since the hallway. He… I… We couldn’t keep up anymore.
“Come here, you doofus.”
I pressed my mouth just below his ear, before biting his lobe. He grunted. His hand climbed up my leg and I gasped.
“Zach…”
He kissed my neck, going down till he fell on his knees, his head on my chest. //If someone were to pass by…//
“Zach!” I pushed him away.
“Yeah?”
“The button?”
“What?”
“For the lift.”
“Right…”
//(link: 'Ding!')[
(track: 'ding', 'play')
(go-to: 'END')
]
//
<!--[[Ding!|END]]-->
<center>(text-rotate-z:350)[(not so)]
<h3>(text-rotate-z:6)[Strangers in]
the Night</h3>\
<hr>-= The End =-
Thanks for playing!
(link-repeat: 'Credits')[(dialog:(passage: "Credits")'s source, "Close")]
(link:"Restart")[(restart:)]
</center>
<style>#audio-controls {display: none;}</style><center>(text-rotate-z:350)[(not so)]
<h3>(text-rotate-z:6)[Strangers in]
the Night</h3>\
<hr>[[Start|Intro]]
(link-repeat: 'Credits')[(dialog:(passage: "Credits")'s source, "Close")]
</center>
<style>#audio-controls {display: none;}</style>
(append: ?SideBar)[\
(if: (passage:)'s name is "Intro")[<img src="./img/Intro.png">]
(elseif: (passage:)'s name is "Irene 1a" or (passage:)'s name is "Irene 1b")[<img src="./img/Irene1.png">]
(elseif: (passage:)'s name is "Irene 2")[<img src="./img/Irene2.png">]
(elseif: (passage:)'s name is "Irene 3")[<img src="./img/Irene3.png">]
(elseif: (passage:)'s name is "Irene 5" or (passage:)'s name is "Inter" or (passage:)'s name is "Inter 2")[<img src="./img/Irene5.png">]
(elseif: (passage:)'s name is "Irene 6")[<img src="./img/Irene6.png">]
(elseif: (passage:)'s name is "Irene 7")[<img src="./img/Irene7.png">]
(elseif: (passage:)'s name is "Irene 8")[<img src="./img/Irene8.png">]
(elseif: (passage:)'s name is "Zach 1")[<img src="./img/Zach1.png">]
(elseif: (passage:)'s name is "Zach 2a" or (passage:)'s name is "Zach 2b")[<img src="./img/Zach2.png">]
(elseif: (passage:)'s name is "Zach 3")[<img src="./img/Zach3.png">]
(elseif: (passage:)'s name is "Zach 6")[<img src="./img/Zach6.png">]
(elseif: (passage:)'s name is "Zach 7")[<img src="./img/Zach7.png">]
(elseif: (passage:)'s name is "Zach 8" or (passage:)'s name is "Inter 3")[<img src="./img/Zach8.png">]
(else:)[<img src="./img/Rest.png">]
]<center><h3>Credits:</h3></center>
//(not so) Strangers in the Night// was created by manonamora in Twine/Harlowe for the //SeedComp!//, //ShuffleComp//, and //Zach Jam//.
* (link-repeat: 'Personal Website')[(open-url: 'https://manonamora.neocities.org/')]
* (link-repeat: 'Tumblr - @manonamora-if')[(open-url: 'https://manonamora-if.tumblr.com')]
* (link-repeat: 'Itch.io - @manonamora')[(open-url: 'https://manonamora.itch.io/')]
* (link-repeat: 'Ko-Fi - @manonamora')[(open-url: 'https://ko-fi.com/manonamora')]
This game was made possible thanks to the resources below:
<h4>Seeds from the //SeedComp!//</h4>\
* (link-repeat: '100 photographs by BenyDanette')[(open-url: 'https://benydanette.itch.io/music-from-the-past-seedcomp2024')]
* (link-repeat: '1 link = 1 viewpoint change by CrocMiam')[(open-url: 'https://crocmiam.itch.io/seedcomp-seed-one-link-equals-one-viewpoint-change')]
* (link-repeat: '60 Pieces of Architecture. by MartynJBull')[(open-url: 'https://martynjbull.itch.io/60-pieces-of-architecture-seedcomp-2024')]
<h4>Custom Macros:</h4>\
* Chapel's (link-repeat: 'Harlowe Audio Library')[(open-url: 'https://twinelab.net/harlowe-audio/')]
<h4>Other Assets::</h4>\
* (link-repeat: 'Pexels')[(open-url: 'https://www.pexels.com/')]: JESHOOTS.com, Rahib Yaqubov, Nadin Sh, Matheus Bertelli, Adam Borkowski, Ata Ebem
* (link-repeat: 'Freesound')[(open-url: 'https://freesound.org/')]: zebragrrl, pillonoise, TRP, kevp888
* (link-repeat: 'GoogleFonts')[(open-url: 'https://fonts.google.com')]
<h4>Twine:</h4>\
* (link-repeat: 'Twinery.org')[(open-url: 'https://twinery.org/')]
* (link-repeat: 'Harlowe Documentation')[(open-url: 'https://twine2.neocities.org/#macro_link-repeat')]
* (link-repeat: 'Twine Resources List')[(open-url: 'https://intfiction.org/t/twine-resource-masterlist-wiki/65903')]
* (link-repeat: 'Intfiction.org Forum')[(open-url: 'https://intfiction.org/c/authoring/twine')]
* (link-repeat: 'Reddit r/twinegames')[(open-url: 'https://www.reddit.com/r/twinegames/')]
* (link-repeat: 'Twine Discord')[(open-url: 'https://discordapp.com/invite/n5dJvPp')]
door-close: ./music/door-close.mp3
shop-bell: ./music/shop-bell.mp3
car-drive: ./music/car-drive.mp3
elevator: ./music/elevator.mp3
ding: ./music/ding.mp3
speeding: ./music/speeding.mp3(track: 'shop-bell', 'play')
(live: 2s)[
(go-to: "Irene 5")
]
<!--[[Irene 5]]-->
(live: 3s)[(track: 'door-close', 'play')]
(track: 'car-drive', 'play')
(live:10s)[(go-to:'Zach 6')]
<!--[[Zach 6]]-->
(track: 'speeding', 'play')
(live: 10s)[
(track: 'elevator' , 'play')
(go-to: 'Irene 8')
]
<!-- [[Irene 8]] -->